READING could have its own dedicated radio station by next year, broadcast bosses have announced.

READING could have its own dedicated radio station by next year, broadcast bosses have announced.

The licence for the new station to serve the town and surrounding areas, which will last for eight years, will be granted early in 2002 by the Radio Authority.

The new licence - on the 106.9FM frequency - is likely to give one of Reading's existing independent radio stations the chance to fill the airwaves full time instead of relying on the 28-day-only licences which have been granted to budding broadcasters.

The Evening Post-backed New City FM, Reading 107, Crown FM and dance station Juice are among the contenders vying for the long-term licence.

The battle of the broadcasters begins in earnest tomorrow when the Radio Authority officially advertises the licence.

Stations then have until September to

submit their application - which will be

considered by members of the authority who come from a variety of backgrounds

including broadcasting and music.

A decision is expected at the end of the year, after which the winner can get the

station up and running as soon as possible.

The authority will be looking for a bidder whose station will cater for the tastes and

interests of listeners in the Reading area and which has the financial resources to

sustain the station for the eight years of the licence.

It is not compulsory for the applicants to have completed a short-term restricted

service licence, although it gives stations the chance to develop skills and build up a

following. The Authority also wants Reading residents to tell it what they want or need in a new station.

The advertisement marks a long-awaited landmark in the town's bid to have its own

station.

In March 1999 Reading was denied the right to have a devoted radio frequency, although nearby Newbury won its bid.

The Evening Post, borough councillors and broadcasters mounted a campaign to

convince the authority to change its mind.

More than 10,000 people signed a petition, after which the Radio Authority changed its mind and the race to be the town's

broadcaster was back on.

Stations in the running have to submit application forms and a non-refundable fee of £1,500 to the Radio Authority by Tuesday, September 11.

n Public comments should be sent to the Radio Authority's director of development, Holbrook House, 14 Great Queen Street, London WC2B 5DG.